How to support small businesses during the holidays

Plus: The best early Black Friday deals, electric pressure cooker, and more [Shop local this holiday season]( [A title card that reads 'Buy Local.']( Dana Davis With endless Black Friday sales coming next week, don’t forget about small businesses, which often struggle to compete with big retailers during this time of year. Even shifting a tiny percentage of your holiday shopping from big-box stores to mom-and-pop shops can have a huge impact. [Shop local, and spread the word](. When you buy through our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. [Learn more ›]( Black Friday is next week. Are you ready? [The corner of a tablet displaying a webpage that reads 'Black Friday 2021'.] Michael Hession Avoid the frenzy of day-of sales by shopping early. Our Deals team has found some of [the best pre–Black Friday discounts]( and we’ll continue to update this page throughout the week. [5 things to avoid this Black Friday]( It’s understandable if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the marketing gimmicks promoting crappy deals on crappy products. Here’s how to [sort through the chaos]( and actually make the most of Black Friday. [If you want one of these things, wait until Black Friday]( Our Deals experts predict that certain items are [worth waiting until Black Friday]( to purchase, including Amazon-branded products and audio gear. But if you suspect something you want could go out of stock, buy it while you can. New picks [The best electric pressure cooker]( A good electric pressure cooker can help you get dinner on the table quickly and easily. This is why the Instant Pot is so beloved. This year, Instant Pot released the [Instant Pot Pro 6-Quart]( which we now recommend as an upgrade pick. Though the Pro is a bit costlier than other Instant Pot models, we think its features are worth the jump in price, especially if you’ll use it often. On top of its basic cooking functions, the Pro also offers a large LCD screen, customizable and savable cooking presets, more temperature levels for sautéing, a sous vide function, and a diffuser cap (which makes the steam release just a bit more gently). Read more in our [guide to the best electric pressure cooker.]( [More this week]( [Some gear used to celebrate Hanukkah, including a menorah and matches.]( [16 great Hanukkah gift ideas]( We’ve taken all the work out of [finding the perfect gift](. We hope this guide takes care of all your cooking, menorah-lighting, and decorating needs. [An illustration of hands holding glasses of wine around an expensive bottle of wine. ]( [The open secret behind many trendy wine clubs]( If you have a subscription to a wine club, there’s a chance you’re [overspending on mediocre wine]( dressed up in a flashy, eye-catching label. [A person watching TV in a living room. ]( [How to clean your television and home theater gear]( We recommend dusting your full setup once a month (since electronics can have static electricity that attracts dust) and doing [a full cleaning]( twice a year. [This week’s best deals]( [The REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0 Womens.]( [REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0 Womens]( [Deal price: $70]( | Street price: $100 The best down jacket is lightweight and warm, and can easily transition from everyday wear to outdoor adventures. During our tests, the REI Co-op emerged as a crowd-pleaser, thanks to its warmth and breathable material. The boxy fit allows for easy layering, and this jacket worked well at blocking out light wind and rain. The Co-op packs down small and can fit into its own pocket (ideal for stashing it away, if the weather warms up). [Buy now from REI]( [The Brooklinen All-Season Down Comforter.]( [Brooklinen All-Season Down Comforter]( [Deal price: $287]( | Street price: $350 With winter fast approaching, we recommend swapping in a down comforter to achieve maximum warmth and coziness. At just under 6 pounds for the king size, the Brooklinen is lighter than the competition. But it’s lofty and warm to sleep under—without overheating you—and it won’t slide off your bed during the night. We found it was easy to wash at home, with no feathers leaking in the washer or dryer. [Buy now from Brooklinen]( [A title card that reads Eye Buy Direct.]( [EyeBuyDirect]( [Deal price: $26]( | Street price: $40 Use promo code WIRECUTTER35 for 35% off + free shipping EyeBuyDirect is the best place to buy glasses online. It offers a vast selection of affordable frames and a no-questions-asked refund policy. Testers reported the glasses they ordered were high-quality and attractive. For lower single-vision prescriptions, the company offers a plethora of lens-thickness and coating options. [Buy now from EyeBuyDirect]( [View email in browser]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for Wirecutter’s Newsletter. Getting too many emails from us? To stop receiving these, [unsubscribe here](. 
 Wirecutter, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue. New York, NY 10018

 [Privacy Policy]( | [California Notices]( | [Terms of Service]( [Contact Us]( [Privacy Policy]( [California Notices]( [Terms of Service]( [Contact Us](